Mendoza | Wine Region Guide Show more A Guide to the Mendoza Region One of the most interesting things about wine is seeing how different wines can come from the same grape variety when grown on different terrains. It is how grapes turns into wine that determines the popularity of an area among wine connoisseurs and makes a wine region out of a land, even when it's about a few varieties -- or perhaps just one. This is especially true when thinking about a grape variety that had to cross the world to finally fully express itself, as happened with Malbec , a variety hailing from France that found its new homeland in Argentina, in the region of Mendoza. Mendoza, one of Argentina's 23 provinces, is on the western side of the country, by the border with Chile. The wine region with the same name includes only part of the province. Land under vine lies east and south of the Mendoza River. Vineyards grow pretty close to the equator, which would be bad news at sea level. The Mendoza wine region, however, lies at the eastern foot of the Andes, and vineyards grow at cooler altitudes that reach almost 5,000 foot (1,700 meters).

Higher altitudes, moreover, provide a sharper difference between daily and night temperatures, which leads to fresher wines. The area has a continental climate that is also extremely dry, so that vintners must irrigate their vineyards. The soil, being at the foot of mountains, is mainly composed of alluvial sediments, sandstone, limestone, clay and pebbles, which contribute to keeping the terrain very dry. Mendoza is the most renowned wine region of Argentina not only because it produces fine red wines from Malbec grapes that have become extremely popular in recent years, but also because it is where the first Argentine cellars were founded. During the nineteenth century, many people from Italy, Spain and southern France, all great winemaking nations, migrated to Argentina, bringing their business and winemaking know-how with them. Some of them established cellars, while others became these cellars' target market, thanks to which Europe-fashioned wines started to be produced in Argentina. (By the way, that's why common grape varieties in Mendoza and Argentina are Barbera , Nebbiolo , Sangiovese , Friulano, Tempranillo , Syrah and Chardonnay .

The Bonarda grown in Argentina, however, is not the same variety as Bonarda grown in Italy.) Immigrants from France brought Malbec, which was typically grown in southwestern France, but which was often uprooted to make room for varieties that gave better results and were therefore more profitable. After a period in which Malbec was used only as a minor grape in local blends (and, again, pulled out to make room to other varieties), the particular combination of soil and climate turned out to be unbelievably favorable for Malbec, so that, nowadays, the names of Malbec and Mendoza are paired in the manner of Riesling and Rheingau, or Pinot Noir and Burgundy. Gran Enemigo and Catena Zapata are among the most praised Malbecs produced in Mendoza, while Unus is a famous blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon (another grape variety that enjoys local conditions) produced by the Mendel estate, which also produces an appreciated red wine from 100 percent Malbec grapes, called Finca Remota, after the vineyard where the grapes are grown.

Mendoza Wines | Cellar.com (view all) Mendoza Mendoza is Argentina’s most important wine region, responsible for two-thirds of the country’s overall wine production. Located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border, vineyards in Mendoza are grown in some of the highest altitudes in the world. Mendoza did not play a significant role in the wine industry until the late 19th century when an immigration trend brought large amounts of Southern Europeans with significant wine knowledge to the region. This elevated Mendoza to world-wide recognition and established it as the fifth largest wine region in the world. While Malbec grows exceptionally well in this region, Mendoza in also known for producing Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Torrontés. Filters: Mendoza Wine Regions Mendoza Mendoza Wine Mendoza is by far the largest wine region in Argentina. Located on a high-altitude plateau at the edge of the Andes Mountains, the province is responsible for roughly 70 percent of the country's annual wine production. The French grape variety Malbec has its New World home in the vineyards of Mendoza, producing red wines of great concentration and intensity.

The province lies on the western edge of Argentina, across the Andes Mountains from Chile . While the province is large (it covers a similar area to the state of New York), its viticultural land is clustered mainly in the northern part, just south of Mendoza City. Here, the regions of Lujan de Cuyo , Maipu and the Uco Valley are home to some of the biggest names in Argentinian wine. Vineyards and mountains, Mendoza Mendoza's winemaking history is nearly as old as the colonial history of Argentina itself. The first vines were planted by priests of the Catholic Church's Jesuit order in the mid-16th Century, borrowing agricultural techniques from the Incas and Huarpes, who had occupied the land before them. Malbec was introduced around this time by a French agronomist, Miguel Aimé Pouget. In the 1800s, Spanish and Italian immigrants flooded into Mendoza to escape the ravages of the phylloxera louse that was devastating vineyards in Europe at the time.

A boom in wine production came in 1885, when a railway line was completed between Mendoza and the country's capital city, Buenos Aires, providing a cheaper, easier way of sending wines out of the region. For most of the 20th Century, the Argentinean wine industry focused almost entirely on the domestic market, and it is only in the past 25 years that a push toward quality has led to the wines of Mendoza gracing restaurant lists the world over. Altitude is one of the most important characteristics of the Mendoza terroir. The strip of vineyard land that runs along the base of the Andes lies between 2600ft and 3900ft (800m-1200m) above sea level, and it is this altitude that moderates the hot, dry climate of the region. Warm, sunny days are followed by nights made much colder by westerly winds from the Andes. This cooling-off period slows ripening, extending the growing season and contributing rich, ripe flavors to the grapes that do not come at the expense of acidity .

Irrigation is facilitated by the rivers that cross the region, including the Mendoza itself, which runs down from the mountains. Warm, dry harvest periods mean that winemakers are able to pick their grapes according to ripeness, rather than being ruled by the vagaries of the weather. As with other New World countries, this leads to a reduction in vintage variation, as well as consistent quality from year to year. Predictable harvests also afford Mendoza's winemakers the luxury of increased control over the styles of wine they produce – a factor which has contributed to the region's international reputation. The soils in Mendoza are Andean in origin and have been deposited over thousands of years by the region's rivers. These rocky, sandy soils have little organic matter and are free-draining, making them dry and low in fertility. This kind of soil is perfect for viticulture – vines are forced to work hard for hydration and nutrients, and will produce small, concentrated berries in lieu of leafy foliage. The wines produced from grapes grown on these soils are often highly structured, with firm tannins , and have a distinct minerality that is often attributed to the soil.

The city of Mendoza has become one of the world's wine capitals, and enjoys a significant slice of South America's wine-tourism industry, helped along by the natural beauty of the area. The Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (National Harvest Festival) that is held in March to celebrate the harvest is one of the key events in Mendoza's calendar. While Malbec is undoubtedly the star of the region, there are also extensive plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon , Chardonnay , Syrah , Torrontes and Sauvignon Blanc . Last updated 08-Oct-2014 Mendoza Wines | Cellar.com (view all) Mendoza Mendoza is Argentina’s most important wine region, responsible for two-thirds of the country’s overall wine production. Located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border, vineyards in Mendoza are grown in some of the highest altitudes in the world. Mendoza did not play a significant role in the wine industry until the late 19th century when an immigration trend brought large amounts of Southern Europeans with significant wine knowledge to the region. This elevated Mendoza to world-wide recognition and established it as the fifth largest wine region in the world.

While Malbec grows exceptionally well in this region, Mendoza in also known for producing Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Torrontés. Filters: South America Wine Regions Map | Wine Folly South America Wine Regions Map Argentina , Articles , Chile , Wine Regions Wine in South America is older than you think South America has actually been making wine since the 1500’s. Back then, the wine was crap. Franciscan Monks planted Mission grapes (including País and Criolla Grande) to make wine for religious purposes. The movement of viticulture (and monks) traveled through Peru into Chile and eventually into Mendoza, Argentina . It wasn’t until the late 1800’s when plantings of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere gave South America the leg-up it needed to make some exceptional vino. Now the South American wine industry is booming… and it’s because the region has some very unique benefits. Argentina is 5th in the world’s wine production and Chile is 9th, just ahead of Portugal. Find out what makes South American wine unique and what you should be seeking. Catena Zapata in Mendoza.

credit Argentina South America’s largest wine growing country is famous for Malbec, but they do much more than just that! Cabernet Sauvignon grows very well in the high-and-dry climate of Mendoza along with their champion white wine, Torrontes. Argentina’s newer regions include Patagonia, which creates exceptional Pinot Noir. For now the primary export market is Malbec, but their Cabernets easily compete with Napa. Casablanca Valley in Chile. credit Chile Chile became the major wine producer for South America starting in the late 1600’s after a major earthquake destroyed Peru’s growing industry. The location of Chile’s major wine region and capital are typical of a cool climate . The valleys along the coast collect cool air as it travels up the Andes. Chile produces peppery and earthy Cabernet Sauvignon in a style very similar to Bordeaux. The country champions a red variety called Carmenere, which has flavors similar to Cabernet Franc. Bodega Bouza. credit Uruguay Uruguay is famous for Tannat. A rigorous variety, Tannat has tannin, moderate-to-high alcohol and grit.

While the wines are well-loved in South America, especially for barbeque, not many are exported to the US. Serra Gaúcha, Brazil. credit Brazil Brazil has a rapidly growing wine industry. It seems strange that wine would grow well along with coffee and chocolate, but it can and does. Most of the fine wine comes from the southern part of Brazil, in Serra Gaúcha. They specialize in Chardonnay and Merlot. The wines are herbaceous and more similar to Italian wines than New World-styled wines . Argentina Wineries & Argentina Wine Regions on the Wineweb Argentina Wineries & Argentina Wine Wineries in Argentina can be searched by clicking on a region in the Argentina wine regions map. Over 400 Argentina wineries are integrated into our winery directory, and many Argentina wines are available direct from the winery or from wine merchants. You can buy Argentina wine online from many Argentina wineries or from participating wine merchants. When you see a list of wineries, note the shopping cart icon as this indicates that you can buy this wine online. Also included on the search results page are other links about Argentina wine. Wine Argentina - Argentina is one of the world’s largest wine-producing countries.

The climate of Argentina is similar to the Andes and it is this similarity that supports the Argentinean wine industry. Argentina is mainly an arid landscape that profits from irrigating waters off the mountains. Argentina’s warmer inland region encourages vine growth down the entire length of the country. In the north, the vineyards lie at the same latitude as Morocco; and in the south, vineyards share latitude with New Zealand. One of the vital aspects to growing quality wine grapes here is altitude, with vineyards planted at 2,000 and 3,000 feet to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Argentine wines are made from grapes such as traditional Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and also varieties like Tempranillo, Bonarda, Barbera, Torrontés and Malbec. Plentiful sunny days and warm climate favor a good maturity and concentration of aroma and color in the grapes. The soil types of the Argentine wine regions offer blends of light and sandy and heavier, clay-based alluvial soils. Argentine soils are deep, porous and lacking in organic matter. Vineyard locations vary in altitude, depending on their closeness to the Andes.

Due to the modest rainfall of the region, irrigation is vital. Water from the Andean range thaw, travels down in the form of rivers to become ditches or channels. The sizable spans of Argentina’s vineyards are located along the country’s western border. They extend for over 2,000 kilometres, from the Cafayate Valley, high up in Salta, in the north, through Mendoza, in the center, right down to the lower-level and down to the protected Rio Negro Valley, to the south east, in Patagonia. The most notable wine regions of Argentina are Mendoza, where nearly all the major wineries are concentrated. With its continental climate favoring grape growing, the Mendoza region is responsible for producing over 80% of total wine production in Argentina. The Salta region, nestled in the very far north of the country is a region of high quality Cabernets Sauvignons and, Torrontés wines. The Rio Negro region lies at the southern end of wine production. It is known by many as an upcoming wine region, not only for cool-climate varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines, but also high quality sparkling wines.

The San Juan and La Rioja regions are long-standing regions that continue to produce a wealth of wine created from simple grapes for local consumption. Refine your Search or view all Argentina wineries Winery names containing: Argentina Wine Regions Spanish wines » Argentina Wines » Argentina Wine Regions Argentina Wine Regions Argentina has been producing wine since the mid 16th century. The vines were brought by Spanish settlers and the Argentina wine regions were soon established along the foots of the Andes. The difficulty of getting the wines to the population on the east didn't help in the development of the industry, and it wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the Argentine wine market truly began. Then came times of economic and social crisis . Exportations were low and the country's economy couldn't sustain the production of high quality wines for self consumption, so most of the wines were table wines. When the trade borders opened at the beginning of the 20th century, Argentina's wine industry started to develop at a rapid pace and soon made a name for itself. The climate in most of the Argentina wine regions is semi-arid and desert-like, with very little rainfall.

The warmest regions (San Juan, La Rioja, Catamarca...) can reach daytime temperature of over 40ºC, with nighttime temperatures dropping as far as 10ºC. Climate around Mendoza or Salta are more temperate, and the temperatures in general are lower. Nighttime temperatures can go as low as 0ºC, although frosts are rare. Most of the rainfall takes place during the summer, and the late summer months sometimes see storms of hail that destroy part of the vineyards. Argentina Wine Regions From north to south there are two strong wine making regions (Mendoza and San Juan) and a developing one with different sub areas (La Rioja, Catamarca, Alta...). There are also some vineyards in the eastern part of the country, in the provinces of Cordoba, Buenos Aires and La Pampa, but their production is quite scarce. The most popular grape in the Argentina wine regions is the Malbec , a French variety brought to the country by the French agronomist Miguel Aimé Pouget in the 16th century.

The conditions in Argentina suit the Malbec variety perfectly, and the wines produced in Mendoza with this grape are said to be some of the best in the world. The Torrontés grape is native to Argentina, and it's the only country in the world where it's grown. Argentina wine regions - Mendoza Mendoza is the largest wine making region in Argentina, responsible around 60% of the country's wine production and 80% of the total wine exportation. The majority of the vines are concentrated in the Maipú and Luján departments, but the Uco Valley and Tupungato department also produce notable wines. Most of the vines are planted around the 1800-3600 feet of altitude, at the foot of the great Andes mountain rage. The most planted grape variety is the Malbec, closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and some Italian varieties. In 1993, the Mendoza sub region of Luján de Cuyo was the first region in Mendoza to get their own designation of origin. Argentina wine regions - San Juan San Juan is the second largest wine produced in Argentina.

If Mendoza is the highest quantitative wine making region in Argentina, San Juan is the highest qualitative one. San Juan is drier than Mendoza, and considerably hotter. High quality wine production is centered around Calingasta, Ullum and Zonda, as well as the Tulum valley. Red wines in San Juan are produced mainly with Syrah and Charbono, but sherry-style wines are quite traditional in the area, as are brandies and vermouth. Argentina wine regions - La Rioja The Argentina wine region of La Rioja was one of the first wine regions established by the Spanish settlers, and it's also the longest standing wine region in Argentina. There are some smaller isolated areas that produce important quantities of wine, but the best wines in the area come from the Fátima Valley, located between the mountain ranges of Velasco and Fátima. The new technologies adapted in the last five years, like the drip irrigation and new cellar machinery, made the production of the typical Torrontés wine easier. Torrontés wine is a type of white wine, very aromatic and elegant.

Malbec Wines from California versus Malbec Wines from Argentina • 4 Comments Many of us are familiar with the term “ terroir ”, though some are torn as to whether this is a real phenomenon, or if it was just something that the French made up to help sell their wines (I tend to fall in the former category). I think most people agree that there is certainly something that gives wines from different regions a certain unique characteristic, though it has yet to be determine exactly what causes these particularities between regions, though in my opinion, it is likely a combination of many factors which result in a different “sum of parts” depending upon both biological, environmental, and viticultural/enological differences between winemaking regions. One grape variety that hasn’t been the focus of many research studies examining regional differences in wine characteristics is Malbec. Originally from the Bordeaux region of France, Malbec has most of its planting in Argentina, in the Mendoza region in particular, which in 2011 represented 86% of all the Malbec plantings in Argentina.

In the United States, the majority of Malbec is planted in California, which in 2011 accounted for 84% of the Malbec plantings in the country. However, despite the fact that 84% of the Malbec plantings are in California, only 0.5% of all red grape plantings in California are Malbec. In order words, while California has most of the Malbec in the United States, they have very little compared to more “traditional” red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Between the years 2000 and 2009, Argentinian Malbec imports have significantly increased from 50,000 Photo By Ian L (originally posted to Flickr as Vines) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons cases to 1.4 million cases. It is clear there is an increasing demand in the United States for Malbec, so why is it that production of Malbec in this country is so low?

How do California Malbecs compare to Argentinian Malbecs, and are there ways California Malbecs can be improved in order to tip the balance from imported Malbec consumption to domestic production and consumption? The study presented to you today is, according to the authors, one of the first (if not the first) to compare sensory and chemical characteristics of Malbec wines from two different countries and different wine regions within those countries by controlling for winemaking technique and factoring in some environmental differences between the two countries. Methods 41 Malbec wines from Argentina and California were analyzed in this study, with all 41 originating from different vineyards. Grapes were harvested in the 2011 vintage, and within-vineyard variability was controlled as much as possible (i.e. they harvested grapes from the most uniform vineyards they could). 26 sites were located in the Mendoza province of Argentina from 4 wine regions (Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, Tupungato, and San Carlos), while 15 sites were located in California from 5 wine regions (Lodi, Monterey, Napa, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties).

In terms of climate data, only growing degree days and precipitation rates/levels for each region were obtained and analyzed. Winemaking procedures were the exact same for Argentinian and California Malbec wines, in order to remove the winemaking technique variable from the equation. Argentinian Malbecs were made following a particular “recipe” at the Catena Institute of Wine in Mendoza, Argentina, while California Malbecs were made using the exact same “recipe” at the University of California, Davis. All wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks until dry, were macerated on their skins for 11 days, put through malolactic fermentation, then later racked, bottled, and closed with a tin screw cap. None of the wines had any oak contact, nor did they experience any acid addition or filtration. After bottling, the wines made in Argentina were carefully packed and shipped to California, with all wines analyzed within a year of bottling. When waiting for analysis, wines were stored upright at 16.5 +/- 0.2oC. All wines were analyzed for the following: volatile aroma composition (60 tested), pH, titratable acidity, ethanol, and volatile acidity.

Sensory analyses were formed on all wines at the wine sensory laboratory at the University of California, Davis. Sensory panelists were recruited from the University of California, Davis, for a total of 15 panelists tasting the wines from Mendoza, Argentina, and 14 panelists tasting the wines from California. The first group of panelists had 5 females and 10 males, with an age range of between 21 and 69 years, while the second group of panelists had 5 females and 9 males, with an age range of between 21 and 70 years. Some of the same panelists were in both groups. Panelists tasted and analyzed the wines during 12 different sessions over a period of 3 weeks. Wines were given in triplicate and were presented in random order with 6 or 7 wines tasted per session. Tasting occurred in isolated booths under red light (to avoid variability due to colors), and wine was presented in black tasting glasses. Water and unsalted crackers were available to the panelists to use as palate cleaners. Results Malbec vines in California were planted further apart than they were in Mendoza.

In regards to irrigation, California vines had drip irrigation, while Mendoza vines were flood irrigated. In regards to trellising, Malbec vines in Mendoza were in a Vertical Shoot Position arrangement with cane pruning, while California Malbec vines had some Vertical Shoot Position, Lyre, and Sprawl arrangements, with mostly spur pruning and a little cane pruning and box hedging. Average price of Malbec grapes were significantly higher in California than in Argentina ($1156/ton versus $820/ton). There were slightly fewer growing degree days in California than in Argentina. There was less precipitation during the growing season in California (104+/-59mm) than in Argentina (147+/-44mm). Vineyard sites in Mendoza, Argentina were at a significantly higher altitude than sites in California (1103+/-133m above sea level versus 190+/-200m above sea level, respectively). Chemical Analysis 49 volatile compounds were detected in the Malbec wines, with all but one being significantly different between the wines made in California and Mendoza. Isoamyl alcohol was not significantly different between California and Mendoza Malbec wines.

Alcohol levels were significantly higher in Malbec wines from Mendoza compared with Malbec wines from California (15.6 versus 14.1, respectively). Sugar levels were significantly higher in Malbec grapes at harvest from Mendoza than in California (which is expected based upon the final alcohol content results). pH levels were significantly higher in California Malbec wines than Malbec wines from Mendoza (4.02 versus 3.76, respectively). Titratable acidity levels were lower in California Malbec wines compared with Mendoza Malbec wines (4.85 versus 6.06, respectively). Sensory Analysis For the sake of space, I am not going to describe the differences in sensory characteristics between sites within each country, though if you have specific questions about a specific area, please feel free to ask and I’ll see what I can dig up. The region of origin (i.e. Mendoza versus California) significantly differed for the following sensory characteristics: cooked vegetal aroma, earthy aroma, chocolate aroma, volatile acidity aroma, sweet taste, acidic taste, astringent mouthfeel, and viscous mouthfeel.

Using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA), chemical and sensory chacteristics of Malbec wines from each region, as well as the environmental data collected, were compared and contrasted, to look for any similarities or differences. GPA showed some spatial analysis between country of origin, indicating that the Malbec wines from Mendoza have different chemical and sensory characteristics than Malbec wines from California. Figure 1 below from King et al (2014) shows the results of the GPA analysis of Mendoza and California Malbec wines. Circles represent chemical compounds found in the wine samples. Squares represent the sensory characteristics noted for the wine samples. Wine regions were placed on the graph depending upon which chemical and sensory characteristics that given wine region possessed. NOTICE: The majority of the Mendoza Malbec wines are more right and bottom, while the majority of the California Malbec wines are more left and top. This indicates significant differences in the wines depending upon region. Figure 1 from King et al, 2014. All wines were rated relatively high for astringency . California Malbec wines were rated higher for bitter taste than Mendoza Malbec wines.

Common sensory descriptors for BOTH Mendoza and California Malbec wines included: Cooked vegetal aroma, earthy aroma, soy aroma, volatile acidity aroma, acidic taste, and astringent mouthfeel. Malbec wines from Mendoza also possessed these unique sensory characteristics that California Malbec wines did not: Red fruit aroma, dry fruit aroma, chocolate aroma, sweet taste, hot mouthfeel (this last one makes sense since the alcohol levels were higher). Malbec wines from California also possessed these unique sensory characteristics that Mendoza Malbec wines did not: Artificial fruit aroma, grapefruit/citrus aroma, bitter taste. Overall, there were more sensory descriptors noted for Malbec wines from the Mendoza region of Argentina compared with California Malbecs, indicating that Argentinian Malbecs have increased complexity compared with California Malbecs. Altitude was positively correlated with titratable acidity, ethanol, and volatile acidity (meaning when altitude increased, TA, ethanol, and VA increased), and negatively correlated with pH (meaning when altitude increased, pH decreased). Altitude was positively correlated with precipitation. Precipitation was positively correlated with titratable acidity, and volatile acidity, and negatively correlated with pH.

Growing degree days was positively correlated with red fruit aroma, bitter taste, and pH, and negatively correlated with earthy aroma, sour taste, and titratable acidity. Malbec wines from hotter climates generally had more red fruit aromas and higher pH, while also having less earthy aromas, sour tastes, and titratable acidity. Conclusions The results of this study provide a nice comparison of Malbec wines between two different wine growing regions, California and Argentina. Controlling for winemaking technique by having each site make the wines using the exact same procedures was a good idea, as now any differences found should be related to viticultural practices or terroir. One thing I wish the researchers measured was the soil content and soil chemistry . Soil can have a huge influence on the growth of the vines, as well as influencing the sensory characteristics of the wine made from those grapes, so it would have been interesting to compare the differences in soil chemistry between the two regions.

While growing degree days, precipitation levels, and altitude were certainly important and I’m glad Photo By Justin Otto (Flickr: Tapiz Malbec) [CC-BY-2.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons they were put into the model, I think having the soil data would make the comparison that much more interesting. While there were some sensory characteristics that were the same between the two regions, indicating that they might be a function of the grape variety itself and nothing else, the Malbec wines made in the Mendoza region of Argentina had an increased level of complexity that they California wines did not have. What causes this complexity? Is it due to the environmental differences between the two sites? How about soil differences? And what about vineyard age and viticultural technique differences? Clearly, these differences are contributing to the complexity of the Argentinian Malbecs, however, it is unclear from this study what has the greatest influence, or if the variability is spread out relatively evenly among the different variables.

Since increased imports of Argentinian Malbecs has been observed, perhaps this study could be used to help growers in California and elsewhere in the US develop a Malbec in the style that appears to be sought after by consumers, so that they can take a bigger bite of the market pie than they have at the moment. I think there is a huge opportunity to increase sales of California (or other US) Malbecs, and this kind of study could help growers and winemakers learn all they can about the competition, so that they can also develop a complex wine that is highly desirable to consumers. What do you all think of this study? Do you have any questions/thoughts/comments to share? Please feel free to join the discussion! Cheers! Visiting Mendoza Wineries Visiting Mendoza Wineries What are you looking for? EN Visiting Mendoza Wineries Pictured: Wine Barrels Mendoza is one of the greatest wine regions of the world.

With more than 1,500 wineries spread out through the three main wine regions - Lujan de Cuyo, Valle de Uco and Maipu - wide open spaces with nothing but vines, mountain grandeur and blue skies, and some of the best winery architecture in the world, it is a spot you truly don't want to miss. 10 Tips to Make the Most of Mendoza Wineries 1. Make reservations for all wineries and restaurants at least one day in advance. 2. Plan on visiting only three to four wineries per day – three at maximum if you are having a winery lunch! 3. Plan your trip by region – Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo or Uco Valley - as there is quite a bit of distance in between. 4. Bring cash (pesos), as many wineries do not accept credit cards. 5. Tours generally last 60-90 minutes. 6. Some wineries are closed Saturday and Sunday, as well as holidays. 7. Use a recommended tour agency-they make planning effortless. 8. Hire a driver (often called a remis), so that you can safely savor the wines, and take in the magnificent views.

9. Take advantage of the unique opportunity to meet the winery owners and winemakers themselves at the wineries, and ask them as many questions as you like. They enjoy sharing their story! 10. Visit The Vines of Mendoza's Tasting Room – and add tons of top quality wineries to your trip in one stop! What Makes Mendoza Such An Amazing Wine Region? Mendoza, Argentina is one of the best places in the world to drink wine and enjoy it with good food and company. The wineries range from small, family owned and cozy, to large production modern architectural masterpieces. What all have in common is a strong sense of heritage and commitment to quality – as well as a warmth unlike anywhere else in the world. Both in the air and in the people. To meet the most adorable, top quality winemaker, go visit Carmelo Patti in Lujan de Cuyo and see him make amazing Malbecs all on his own. He is said to be a one-man army, making his wines single handedly with all the attention and care of a true master-craftsman.

We think it’s his warmth and the humility of his surroundings, despite International acclaim of his wines, that make the experience so special. While in Lujan, if you want to have amazing Sparkling wine (and who doesn't?), you can head to Chandon for a multi-course winery lunch and to taste through as many bubbles as your heart desires. If it’s an architectural masterpiece you’re after, Salentein in the Uco Valley offers great wines, gorgeous architecture and even an art gallery with modern and traditional exhibits that showcase regional and International talent. Their barrel room was designed to be a fabulous location for music concerts, with tremendous acoustics and barrels integrated into the décor. While in the Uco Valley, you should also visit Clos de los Siete, a project of four Mendoza wineries that use distinctly different methods of French-influenced winemaking, run by Michel Rolland . Marcelo Pelleriti is the famed winemaker for Monteviejo and brings his passion for music and art into the space, with frequent art exhibits and an annual rock concert. Other wineries on the property are Mariflor and DiamAndes .

Just a few short minutes away, you can join the Gimenez Riili family's cozy winery, receiving a tour with one of the winery's handsome brothers, as well as an asado if you like. While their Gran Reserva Malbec is not to be missed, their Perpetuum Torrontes really steals the show. The Vines of Mendoza is right next door, with 1,000 sprawling acres of vineyards, a state-of-the-art microfermentation winery for more than 200 wines (now open to the public for tours), and The Vines Resort & Spa , opening in September 2013. When in Mendoza, you will undoubtedly drink a great deal of fabulous Malbec, as well as the native white Torrontes, as well as many blends and perhaps even a Bonarda and Tempranillo. Be sure to try the Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot as well – these varietals take on an entirely different personality when grown in the new world sunshine and record altitudes. Read through the Tasting Notes to learn more about all these great grapes.

With Mendoza’s recent acclaim in Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler as a top hot spot for wine and luxury travel, as well as continuously growing wine accolades from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate, Mendoza has established itself as a powerhouse with top quality wines in both the high and low yield categories. This is just the beginning of your adventure in Mendoza wine country. See hundreds of photos and details on all Mendoza’s wineries in our Wineries Section . Mendoza’s Wine Regions Mendoza’s wine region is over 350,000 acres (144,000 hectares) of planted vineyards, and produces nearly two-thirds of the country’s wine. Argentina’s most highly rated Malbec wines originate from Mendoza’s high altitude wine regions of Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. These areas are in the foothills of the Andes mountains, with elevations of between 2,800 and 5,000 feet. Luján de Cuyo With vineyards planted in sandy soil at an altitude of 2,640–3,630 feet, Lujan de Cuyo is known as the land of Malbec.

It is part of Mendoza River's high region. Most of the vines here are planted with red wines, but Malbec is not the only grape thriving here. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Torrontes also thrive well. About 40 minutes south of Mendoza city, this region is considered the place where Argentina's wine movement began - pushing the country from the common table to international production. Luján de Cuyo was the first region to institute the AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlée) for Malbec in 1993. This has caused continual increase in the quality and quantity of the wines, and increased global recognition. Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) Approximately 75 minutes south of the city of Mendoza, the Uco Valley (Valle de Uco) is Mendoza's newest wine region, and the one getting the most attention internationally right now. It is known especially for Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Semillon and Torrontes production. The breathtaking natural scenery makes it one of the most picturesque regions in Mendoza.

The Uco Valley has received much global acclaim in 2012, although it has been producing top quality wines for well over a decade. The area is known for its high altitude, with the Tupungato region having vineyards planted almost 4,000 feet above sea level. Uco Valley is in fact one of the world’s highest wine growing regions, with over 80,000 hectares planted between 3,000-3,900 feet. In addition to producing award-winning Malbecs and blends, the area is also emerging as a source for premium quality white wine varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and even Torrontes. Maipu The region of Maipu, south and east of Mendoza city, has approximately 20 wineries. Some of the best are La Rural , Familia Zuccardi and Finca Flichman. While you won’t need as much time in Maipu as the other regions, it is not a region to skip, and the additional olive oil tasting and biking opportunities provide a diversion from the Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley tourist experiences.

Planning Travel Time Remember, with all of Mendoza’s gorgeous winery regions, wineries can be a bit far away from each other, making reservations and booking a driver for the day are critical to be sure you can taste as much wine and visit as many wineries as possible. While making arrangements might seem a bit inconvenient now, once you’re in the big open spaces in these wine regions you'll be grateful. Share

Question: 60% of which country's wine is produced in the Mendoza region?
Answer: Argentina